A leading provider of an AI-powered, cloud-based cybersecurity platform has released its new cyberattack and ransomware statistics for Q1 2024.
In the DACH region, general cyber attacks fell significantly compared to Q1 2023 (-17 percent). At the same time, however, the spread of ransomware in Europe increased the most of all regions year-on-year (64 percent). However, the most ransomware in absolute terms continues to occur in North America, where 59 percent of almost 1.000 ransomware attacks took place.
By industry, communications companies saw the largest year-over-year increase in ransomware (177 percent), followed by manufacturing (96 percent) and healthcare (63 percent). This is information obtained from ransomware shame sites run by double extortion ransomware groups that publish victims' names and information. The data from these shame sites comes with its own biases, but still provides valuable insight into the ransomware ecosystem.
Education and research targeted by ransomware
In a year-on-year comparison, in terms of absolute numbers of all cyber attacks, the sectors most frequently attacked are education and research (-2 percent), followed by authorities and the military (-2 percent) and healthcare (-5 percent). Hardware sellers (37 percent), consulting companies (29 percent) and software sellers (21 percent) reported a strong increase. Insurance companies and the legal profession (-74 percent), ISP/MSP (-51 percent) and SI/VAR/distributors (33 percent) had the largest decline.
Omer Dembinsky, Data Research Group Manager at Check Point Software Technologies, said: “Given the dynamic cyber threat landscape in the first quarter of 2024, it is clear that our approach to IT security must be equally dynamic. The significant increase and volume of cyber attacks in regions such as Europe, Africa and especially North America, where 59 percent of known ransomware attacks were concentrated, signals an urgent need for increased vigilance and robust countermeasures.
Ransomware: increase of 177 percent compared to the previous year
The shocking 96 percent year-over-year increase in ransomware attacks in the manufacturing industry and the unprecedented 177 percent year-over-year increase in the communications industry are indicative of the vulnerabilities created by rapid digital transformation and the critical nature of these industries . These numbers are not just statistics; “They are an urgent call for companies across all industries to strengthen their defenses and prioritize cybersecurity, underscoring the need for adaptive, AI-powered defense strategies.”
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About check point Check Point Software Technologies GmbH (www.checkpoint.com/de) is a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions for public administrations and companies worldwide. The solutions protect customers from cyberattacks with an industry leading detection rate for malware, ransomware and other types of attacks. Check Point offers a multi-level security architecture that protects company information in cloud environments, networks and on mobile devices, as well as the most comprehensive and intuitive “one point of control” security management system. Check Point protects over 100.000 businesses of all sizes.